Karl Lagerfeld is now the star of his own ‘Where’s Wally’ book

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Designer Karl Lagerfeld’s image has graced many T-shirts, is a popular choice for fancy dress and his often outrageous quotes have inspired a book.

But now the 81-year-old is getting an illustrated makeover by way of a parody on Where’s Wally, the hugely successful illustrated book by Brit Martin Handford.

‘Where’s Karl?’ was conceived by two fashion insiders after seeing Mr Lagerfeld in fashionable hotspots around Paris – such as the hip hangout Café de Flore – and realising the reaction from fans and passers-by that he garnered.

“They would act like they were the only ones lucky enough to spot him, and then two minutes later someone else would do the exact same thing,” co-author Stacey Caldwell told US Vogue. Caldwell is the vice president of global wholesale at New York label Thakoon while co-author Aji Riaki is a writer and fashion video producer based in Paris.

Working with illustrator Michelle Baron, Wally (or Waldo, as he is known is North America) and his stripes have been traded for a white ponytailed, skinny suit-sporting Lagerfeld. And the locations befit the German’s stylish qualities; the Met Gala in New York City, Coqui Coqui beach in Tulum, Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo and the Chanel Fashion Show at the Grand Palais in Paris are just a few instances where the Chanel creative director pops up.

But the fashionable fun doesn’t end there: while seeking out Karl there are dozens of famous faces to distract you, such as designers Phoebe Philo and Riccardo Tisci posing next to Hello Kitty, and Victoria’s Secret model Lily Aldridge manning the tills in Hong Kong.

“That’s the real fun—you think you’re looking for Karl,” Caldwell explains, “but you’re recognizing all these fashion people along the way.”